My first try at hill work and running summary (oct 14-20)

I had my first hill training this week. I’ve done this course before and always “cruise” up at about 12 min/mile pace. My goal was a “control” run (uphill) at about 10 min/mile pace and “recovery” run (downhill) at about 11:30 min/mile pace.

I wasn’t even close with my “control” run. I did exert myself much more than I ever have, but it was hard for me to go faster than 11 min/miles. I seriously felt like I was trying to sprint up the hills. Plus, it’s hard to control your pace when there are parts that are as steep as a staircase with loose dirt.

I think I need to run on the road for my next hill workout. But!!

It was so much fun! I had to run a small loop (0.8 miles) three times. My coach said that the first loop would be challenging but it would get easier by the third time around. I was skeptical. But I trusted that he knows better than me so I was eager to experience what he was talking about.

And he was right! I felt more in control on the 2nd time around. I was completely exhausted by the end of the 3rd loop so all I could think was “Thank goodness that’s over!!”.

But after a few minutes of my recovery run, I felt so good. I don’t know if this happens to you but after a long run, my lungs feel awesome. I actually had the thought that I could tackle another loop. I wasn’t expecting to feel that great.

I stopped for a few seconds after I’d recovered on my 2nd and 3rd loop to take a few pictures. Apparently I’m not supposed to do this. My coach wanted to kick my butt. Whoopsy. I’ll have to work on my taking-pictures-while-running skills.